John "Al" Gandolfi

John Gandolfi passed away,from complications of staph infection, Aug. 28, 2006 at his vacation home in Prineville, Oregon.

Memorial services will be held at the Senior's Center on October 14, 2006 at 2:00 pm. in Capitola.

Al was born and raised in Santa Cruz, on May 2, 1929 to Giovanni Bautista and Angelina Cuneo Gandolfi, grew up on the Gandolfi Produce Ranch, and graduated from Santa Cruz High School in 1948. Al became a heavy equipment operator helped build Mineral King, going to Sequoia National Park highway 49 in Cal.'s Gold Rush. After that a logger also cat skinner for Cascade Lumber Company and Big Creek Lumber. After meeting the woman he married, Nov. 1, 1953, Daisy Rose Stehlick, Al began his long and successful career in construction.

Al came from very humble beginnings. In his own words: "As a little boy, I worked on the farm and would often make produce deliveries with the family truck. I loved seeing the looks of surprise and amusement on people's faces as I could barely see over the steering wheel as I drove through town." His folks were produce farmers and grew the vegetables for the markets in Santa Cruz. The family farm was on the land that Branciforte Jr. High now stands on Poplar Ave. His keen awareness and sharp insights came from having worked all his life so closely to the land. His sense of logic and practical application made him one of the most coveted project superintendents for developers all over the Bay Area. He earned his general contractors license in the early 1970's. With this, he and his wife, Daisy, and three sons bought and developed residential houses in Santa Cruz's west side.

Daisy met AL on a blind date, in the early 1950's. When he walked up to her porch and she opened the door - they were both struck with the proverbial thunderbolt of love. His beautiful, curly red hair and a million dollar smile; muscular arms, strong, yet gentle hands truly won the heart of his future wife. Love at first sight, it really does happen. Daisy was getting ready to join the Navy and Al was heading for Arabia on a big construction job. Their blind date put a stop to all that.

Daisy's mother had met Al first about a year before their blind date. She gave her approval instantly. She was so relieved cause her baby girl Daisy was a little on the wild side and the guy Al was the salt of the earth. She knew Al could tame Daisy. Their relationship was beautiful. Al could do no wrong, and Daisy's mother was Mama to him right from the beginning, not "Mary" or "Mrs. Stehlick." Their first date was Dinner at the Brookdale Lodge and after dinner drinks at the Shadow Brook. Al worked up the nerve to kiss Daisy around midnight, cause Daisy was such a tease - Daisy knew he wanted a kiss and when he finally got it he whispered"¦ "Kiss of fire." They were hooked. Three days later Al gave Daisy an engagement ring. They were married on November 1st 1953 and spent every minute of those busy years loving, hugging, kissing, dancing, working, fighting & always kissing and making up.

"So, just a sweet bye, bye for now, my love"¦ Please come to me in my dreams "¦I will never forget you. I will always love you. You made my love and life complete. You gave me your love and your heart"¦" Daisy.

John is survived by his wife Daisy Rose Gandolfi, sons Mark, Kirk wife Dawn and Erik Gandolfi; 5 granddaughters, Camile, Nichelle, Nicole, Caitlin and Jessica Gandolfi, one grandson, Kirk Jr. and one great grandson, Austin; his nephews Ron, Mike and Rick Gandolfi and John Meschi; and nieces Virgina DeFrenchi and Pam Gandolfi; as well as other nieces and nephews.

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